EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was authored by Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois.
SHELBY — Shelby’s Kelsey Snyder was among a group of 29 Lincoln Land Community College students to participate in an agricultural tour of Italy May 20 to 28.
Tour stops included locations in Rome, Tuscany, Siena and Florence.
At the Maccarese farm, outside of Rome, students experienced a multi-faceted enterprise growing grains, fodder crops and vegetables, dairy cow breeding and production, and the operation of two biogas plants.
In Tuscany, at the La Fescennina family-operated organic farm, students learned planting and harvesting techniques for hazelnut and olive production, and how the operation became the first certified producer and processor of organic Roman hazelnuts.
They also visited Costruzioni Macchine Agricole, the leading designer and manufacturer of agricultural machinery in Italy.
In Florence, students visited with a Pecorino cheese producer at the Podere II Casale and learned about sustainable farming operations and processes to make various types of cheeses.
The trip also included visits to iconic locations and historic sites including the Roman Colosseum, a walking Baroque tour of Rome and a guided tour in Florence to historic piazzas and sites including the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Ponte Vecchio.
Along the way, students dined on authentic Italian cuisine and attended a pasta making class. The immersive and educational experience allowed students to see agricultural, cultural and historical sites in Italy.
The LLCC Agriculture study abroad experience was made possible by the Kreher Agricultural Trust. LLCC faculty and staff leading the trip include Liz Stamberger and Bill Harmon.